Massaging device



Jan. 14, F RENGA MASSAGING DEVICE Fil ed March 5, 1959 3 SheetsSheet 1.16 1 I 10 43 j/Z. 5. 54 .55 44 34 96 J0 J5 INVENTOR.

a @y/ M A TTORNEYJ F. L. RENGA Jan. 14, 1941,.

MAS SAGING DEVICE Filed March ,3, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. jzeryw ATTORNEYS F. L. RENGA Jan. 14, 1941.

MASSAGING DEVICE Filed March 3, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 fi/cfjfi. 1E2 154.114

INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAS SAGIN G DEVICEFernando L. Renga,

Chicago Electric Chicago, Ill., assignor to Manufacturing Company,

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to a vibrating device suitable formassaging and treatment purposes.

The present invention is a continuation in part of my previously filedapplication, Serial No. 253,565, copending herewith, which applicationdescribes and claims an improved vibrator control construction. Thepresent application contemplates more particularly the provision of acombination control means for both initiating theaction of thevibration, as well as controlling theintensity or degree of. vibration.To this end thepresent invention co-mprehends the provision of amagnetic vibrator, together with an adjustment member movable torestrict or mechanically dampen the vibrations producible by magneticaction, the supply of electric current to the vibrator, as Well as themovable restricting member being operative from a single manual controlmeans. Heretofore the intensity of vibration has been controlledaccording to one known method by varying the available magnetic effort.Such a construction, however, involves What are in effeet a plurality ofelectrical controls, subject to electrical failure after continued use.In accordance with the present invention only a single circuit-makingdevice is necessitated, adjustments of intensity being effectedpositively and mechanically.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide incombination an electric vibrator and mechanical control element adaptedto operate an electrical switch for controlling the initiation andvibration and thereafter actuable for mechanically varying the intensityof the vibrational effect produced.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide aconstruction as above, in which the degree of intensity of vibration issubject to an extremely fine control by virtue of mechanical restrictionof the vibration between the maximum and minimum values attainable withthe available magnetic energy.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a combinedmechanical and electrical vibrator control device, as above, which maybe located at any conveniently accessible place on the vibrator assemblyfor facilitating adjustment by obviating any necessity for specialmanipulation.

Among other objects of the present invention are. to provide an improvedvibrator bracket construction; and to provide an adjustable vibratorassembly, as above, which may be readily assembledto provide a sturdyconstruction capable taken centrally of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a vibrator supporting bracket shown inseparate relationship;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a vibrator control member shown inseparate relationship;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the parts forming the control switch,the several parts being shown in disassembled relationshipin order toclearly illustrate their relative arrangement;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of a slightly modifled constructionembodying the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken centrally through theconstruction shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is adetail perspective view of the forward portions of thevibrator shown in Fig. 1, parts of the cover having been removed inorder to show the internal cooperating construction;

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view taken on the line l5-|5 of Fig. 13;and

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional View taken on the line lG-IG in Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings wherein one illustrative form of the presentinvention is disclosed, Figs. 1 to 8 show a vibrator constructioncomprising an outer shell or casing ID of generally parabolic form,closed by a removable cover l2 at its open end. The instant covercomprises a circular wall l4 extending laterally across the end of theparabolic shell l0 and having an axially extending flange l6 terminatingin a shell embracing flange [8 which is releasably secured to the shellby means of fasteners 20.

The aforementioned casing or shell encloses an interior mechanismcomprising a magnetic actuator 22 and a resiliently supported armatureassembly 24, these assemblies being mounted upon and supported byopposed brackets 26, shown in separate detail in Fig. 9, and illustratedin assembled position in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6. Each of the presentbrackets comprises an arm 28 extending axially and rearwardly from thefront wall l4 of the cover member and being secured thereto by lateralflanges 32] which are secured flatwise to the inner face of the cover bymeans of fasteners 32. A pair of opposed flanges 34 extendinglongitudinally of the rearwardly projecting arm 28 serves to embrace thecore of the magnetic actuator, as will hereinafter more fully appear.Laterally upwardly and downwardly extending arms 36 adjacent the forwardpart of the brackets are adapted to support the armature assembly and tothis end are provided along their rearward edges with lateral flanges38, terminating in tab portions 40. When assembled in position as shownin the figures, the brackets oppositely embrace the laminated core ofthe magnetic coil 42, and are secured therewith through the agency ofmachine bolts 44.

The armature assembly comprises a magnetic actuator bar or plate 46, andit will be noted that this bar extends transversely, opposite to thefree extremities of the magnetic core, which in the coil constructionshown is of generally E-shaped configuration. The armature member isresiliently mounted in position opposite the coil through the agency ofpairs of leaf springs 48, secured adjacent either extremity of thearmature by means of rivets 50. The pair of leaf springs are supportedat either end by the brackets, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 6, whereit will be noted that the lugs or tabs 40 have been bent over toclampingly engage the extremity of the leaf springs.

Figs. 3, 5 and 6 illustrate how the supporting arms 36 of the brackets,as well as the flanges 38, are bent slightly to permit lateral yieldingmovement of the spring leaves so that the armature may reciprocate withrespect to the magnetic coil 42. Spacing washers 52 between each pair ofleaf springs and between the springs and the armature enhance the springaction. The vibrational actuation of the armature 46 is transmitted to ashaft 54, rigidly secured to the armature, as at 56, for transmission inturn to an applicator 51.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a means formechanically damping or modifying the vibrational movement of thearmature and operated from a rotatable control member 58, rotatablymounted on a pivot 60, which pivot is fixedly supported in a pair ofbrackets 62. Attention is directed to the fact that the two brackets 62(Figs. 3 and 8) are configurated, as at 64, to oppositely embrace therear central portion of the core of the magnetic coil 42, and arefastened by a rivet 66.

As clearly shown in the figures, the control rotor 58 is so mounted thata portion of its periphery extends outwardly of and beyond the rearwardextremity or apex of the parabolic shell, the material of the shellbeing slotted to permit passage of the rotor so that it is manuallyengageable, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1 to 4. The periphery of therotor 58 is provided with fluted, serrated or ridged portions 68 whichcooperate with a resilient strip of spring metal mounted adjacent therear portion of the magnetic coil for the purpose of tensioning therotor, and normally holding it in any adjusted position. In accordancewith the particular embodiment disclosed it will be obvious that theridged portions 68 are so arranged as to provide for positioning therotor yieldably in any of eight rotational positions. The strip ofspring material 10 is held in place by virtue of the fact that itslaterally extending extremities engage between the opposite bracketmembers and the adjacent surfaces of the magnetic core.

A damping member 12, shown in separate relationship in Fig. 10,comprises a plate or flange 14 which normally extends laterally acrossthe front of the armature plate 46 and is rovided with a relativelylarge aperture 18 to embrace the shaft 54, but permitting the shaft topass freely therethrough. The flange or plate 14 is integral at one sidewith a rearwardly extending leg 18, which in operative position extendsalongside the magnetic control coil and to the rear thereof, wherein itis bent inwardly, as at 80, to provide a flange lying against one of therotor supporting brackets 62, as at 82. The damping bracket 12 issupported for limited reciprocation transversely of the armature byvirtue of an elongated slot or groove 84 in the portion 82, which slotembraces the pin to prevent lateral movement with respect to the slot.The opposite extremity of the damping control bracket 12 is slidablysupported by a pin 86 rigidly mounted in the Wall I4 of the shell cover,as at 88, and being arranged slidably in an aperture 89 in the plate 14.

Movement of the vibration control bracket in its reciprocating path iseffected by means of a cam-shaped embossment 90 formed on the upper sideof the rotor 58, as viewed in Fig. 3. It should be particularly notedthat the end of the damping control bracket is provided with a lug 91which extends laterally to a point opposite the cam 90 to coacttherewith as a cam follower. Rotation of the cam, accordingly, can beutilized to positively move the control bracket rearwardly forrestricting the available vibrational movement of the armature, it beingunderstood that in operation the vibrational impacts of the armature aresufhcient to force the control bracket in the opposite direction whenthe cam is appropriately r positioned. A rubber washer 92 embraces theshaft 54 between the armature 46-and the plate 14 to cushion theimpacts. Assuming the magnetic coil to be supplied with alternatingelectricity and the armature therefore set in vibration, maximumintensity of vibration will occur when the follower lug 9! is opposite alow portion of the cam. As the cam is rotated, however, to bring higherpoints opposite the follower lug 9|, the bracket, and accordingly thedamping plate 14, moves rearwardly and toward the armature 16 todecrease the amplitude of vibrational movement.

The supply of electric energy to the magnetic coil is controlled througha switching device mounted upon an insulating control panel 93 bolted tothe lower side of the magnetic core, as viewed in Fig. 3. The panelshown more in detail in Fig. 11 has mounted thereon a fixed con tactmember 94 and a laterally extending resilient contact arm 95 fixedadjacent one end by a fastener 96. The resilient contacting arm 95 has acontact point 91 normally urged yieldably into conducting relationshipwith the contact member 94. It will be understood that the aforesaidcontact members are arrangedin series with the electrical conduits, suchas I02 and I04, supplying,

the magnet 42.

Interruption of the electrical circuit is eifected,

rotor 58 by impingement of a projecting lug 98' upon an actuating block99" (see Fig. 8). It

should be noted that the projecting lug 98 ismounted on the side of therotor opposite from.

the cam 90. The actuating block 99 is fixedly secured to the free end ofthe resilient member 95 and extends laterally thereof through a suit"able aperture in the insulating panel 93'and into position opposite theside face of the rotor. Attention is particularly directed to the factthat the surface of the actuating block 99 is curved to facilitatecoaction with the projection 98.

The present device is provided with ahandle I00 through which, forconvenience, may extend the. electrical supply conduits. plated,preferably, in accordance with the present invention, that the locationof the switch actuating lug 98 be such as to release the switch arm 95.to circuit-making position, while the restricting bracket I2 is held atthe point of maximum armature restriction. As the control member 58. isrotated progressively from this point the restricti-on of the armaturedecreases to increase the vigor of vibration to the required degree-From the foregoing it will be apparent that in opera-tion the rotor isnormally located in a rotational position wherein the electrical circuitis inoperative. As the rotor moves away from this limiting position, asshown in the figures, the

switch is closed and the vibration commences with the restrictingbracket inits right-handmost position, as viewed in Fig. 3, and heldthere by the coaction of the cam follower lug 9| and a high portion ofthe cam'90. As rotation of, the rotor continues, the cam surfacecontinually lowers, permitting the bracket I2 and restriction plate tomove in the left-hand direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, and progressivelyrelieving the, restriction of the armature.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the control member58 is located in a position where it is readily accessible by the thumbwhenremoving the hand from the control handle 7 I00. The operator canaccordingly adjust the device while manipulating it for massagingpurposes, for example. This construction is of great practicaladvantage, as opposed to constructions where it. is necessary for theoperator to release his grasp and specially manipulate the controlelements.

Reference is now had to Figs. 12 to 16 of the drawings, wherein amodified preferred construction is disclosed. In accordance with thisconstruction the casing or shell is provided with a cap or cover IOIwhich overlies the inner cover 42 andis provided'with a knurled ormilled flange I03. In accordance with the instant embodiment, the outercap or cover I 0| is rotatable relatively to the vibrator enclosingshell or housing and about the axis of" the shaft 54 for determining theintensity of vibrational movement, in accordance with the principles'setout in my aforementioned copending application, Serial No. 253,565.Since the detailed construction and arrangement of the control cap'iscompletely dis closed in my aforesaid copending application, a*repetition of these details will be omitted here.

Suflice it to say that the rotation of the control ,cap results inrotational adjustment of a sleeve.

It is contemthreadedlyengaged in the vibrator housing, causingrelativemovement of the sleeve in a, direction toward or away from the armature.

In accordance with this construction the current control conduits arecarried, as indicated by the. reference numerals I02 and I04, to aswitch mounted on the inner surface of the forward wall M of the shell.The switch comprises an insula ting block I06, which is fastened bygrommets I08 to a resilient spring arm III). It should be noted that thespring arm has its lower end secured flatwise against the insulatingblock, as viewed inFig. 13, and therea'bove is spaced from the block,its upper end being bent over and secured rigidly to an insulatingactuating member I I2 by means of rivets I I4.

The spring arm I I0carries a con-tact point II6 which is adapted tocooperate with an opposing contact point I I8 mounted on a suitableconduct.- ing base I20 and similarly secured to the insulating blockI06. As clearly shown in Fig. 14, portions of the forward wall I4 of theshell are cut away to retain the rivets in relatively insulatedrelationship, and furthermore to permit free passage of the actuatinginsulating block I'IZ' through the wall I4. Accordingly, and since thecontrol'conduits I 02and I04 are connected, respectively, to the twocontact points I I6 and II 8, the circuit is normally closed.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact n control cap IOI isprovided with an inwardly 2 struck-outportion I24, cooperating with theportion I22, other words, the struck-out or inwardly offset portionI24'on. the cap provides in effect a cam actuator which is secured alongone end portion only to the sheet material of the cap. When theparts-are assembled in normal position the inwardly offset portion I24is adapted to pass underneath, the struck-out portion I22, as clearlyshown in Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive, movement being limited whentheadiacentside or end edges of the'struck-out portions come into abutment.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that when the cap isrotated'so that the cam .portion I24 extends under the struck-out memberI22, its inner surface contacts the actuatin'ginsulating block I I2 onthe switch construction (see Figs. Band 16), forcing the resilientswitch arm rearwardly'and' breaking the circuit between the contacts. Asshown in Fig. 16, the corner of the control block II2 is rounded tofacilitate the coaotionoof the parts. On the other hand, if the cap isrotated in a left-hand direction, as viewed in the figures, the inwardlyoffset or cam portion I24 iscarried from beneath the overlying struckoutportion on the shell wall I4, permitting the switch to close and startactuation of the device.

It" will be obvious from the above that further rotation of the cap in aleft-hand direction will serve to vary the intensity of the vibrationsproduced in accordance with the action described above: The presentdevice, therefore, provides a single control means adapted to performthe dual function of actuating the switch and varying the intensity ofvibration.

as clearly shown in Figs. 13' and 14. In

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the inwardly offsetor cam member [24 is provided with indicia indicating the On position ofthe switch, which is visible through the adjacent aperture at all timeswhen this member is at a point remote from the struck-out portion 122.At other times, however, the latter struckout portion overlies the camportion I24 so that the indicia Off is visible in the aperture,indicating that the switch is in Off position.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendantadvantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it isobvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages,the forms herein described being preferred embodiments for the purposeof illustrating the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An electric massaging device of the class described, comprising avibrator unit and a housing for said unit, a vibrator member connectedto the vibrator unit and extending outwardly of the housing, asubstantially circular cap member located adjacent the said end of saidhousing and being rotatable with respect to said housing to control thedegree of vibration of said vibrator member, switch means operativelysupported by said housing and being operatively associated with saidrotatable cap member for actuation upon rotation of said cap wherebyrotatable actuation of the cap member controls the current supply to thevibrator as well as the degree of vibration.

2. In an article of the class described, comprising a vibrator unit anda housing, a control switch for said unit, said switch having relativelymovable contact portions normally in contacting relationship, cap meansadjacent one end of said housing and relatively rotatable with respectthereto, and cam means operatively supported by said cap and beingadapted to operatively actuate said relatively movable switch means inone rotational position for separating said contacts whereby to causeselective actuation of the switch.

3. In an article of the class described, an electric vibrator comprisinga magnetic coil, an armature adapted to be vibrated upon energization ofthe coil, means for mechanically damping the vibrations produced in saidarmature comprising a member movable relatively to said armature torestrict the movement thereof, and means for controlling the relativeposition of said restricting member comprising a rotatable memberoperatively located at the rear of said magnet coil, cam meansoperatively associated with said rotatable member for relativelypositioning said restriction member with respect to the armature, andmeans on said rotatable member for controlling energization of saidmagnet.

4. In an article of the class described, an electric vibrator comprisinga magnetic coil, an armature adjacent the front portion of said magnetic coil for vibrational reciprocation by said coil, a control brackethaving a portion extending adjacent said armature to mechanicallyrestrict vibration thereof, said bracket having a portion extendingrearwardly of said magnet, and cam means operatively mounted on the rearof said magnet and being operatively associated with said bracket formoving said bracket laterally of the armature into armature restrictingposition.

5. An electric massaging device of the class described comprising a.housing, a vibrator unit in the housing having an armature adapted to bereciprocated and a shaft connected with said armature and extendingoutwardly of said housing, a manually actuable member extending fromsaid housing, a member shiftable laterally of said armature for dampingthe vibration of said armature by mechanically restricting the movementthereof, means operatively associating the manually actuable member andthe vibration damping member for progressively varying the axialposition of said last named member in response to actuation of saidmanually actuable member, a circuit making means in circuit with thevibrator unit for controlling supply of actuating electric current tothe said unit, means on the said manually actuable member andmechanically associated with said circuit making means for opening saidcircuit in one position of the man- 0 ually actuable member and formaintaining the circuit continuously closed in other positions of saidmanually actuable member.

6. An electric massaging device of the class described comprising ahousing, a vibrator unit in the housing having an armature adapted to bereciprocated and a shaft connected with said armature and extendingoutwardly of one extremity of said housing, a rotatable control memberextending from the opposite extremity of said housing, a membershiftable laterally of said armature for damping the vibration of saidarmature by mechanically restricting the movement thereof, meansoperatively associating the rotatable control member and the vibrationdamping member for progressively varying the axial position of said lastnamed member in response to rotation of said rotatable control member, acircuit making means in circuit with the vibrator unit for controllingsupply of actuating electric current to the said unit, means on the saidrotatable control member and mechanically associated with said circuitmaking means for opening said circuit in one rotational position of therotatable control member and for maintaining the circuit continuouslyclosed in other rotational positions of the said rotatable controlmember.

7. An electric massaging device as defined in claim 5 wherein saidrotatable control member is disposed for rotation about an axistransverse to said shaft and has its periphery projecting from the rearof said housing.

8. An electric massaging device as defined in claim 5 wherein saidmanually actuable member comprises a cap embracing the first namedextremity of said housing and having a peripheral flange portionadjacent the side portions of said housing for relative rotationaladjustment.

9. An electric massaging device as defined in claim 5 wherein saidmanually actuable member comprises a cap rotatable about the axis ofsaid shaft and having a peripheral flange portion adjacent the sideportions of said housing for relative rotational adjustment.

10. In an electric massaging device of the class described, comprising avibrator unit and a housing, a control switch for said unit, said switchhaving relatively movable contact portions normally in contactingrelationship, rotor means adjacent one end of said housing andrelatively rotatable with respect thereto, and cam means operativelysupported by said rotor and being adapted to operatively actuate saidrelatively movable switch means in one rotational position forseparating said contacts whereby to cause selective actuation of theswitch.

11. In an electric massaging device of the class described, comprising avibrator unit and a housing, a control switch for said unit, said switchhaving relatively movable contact portions normally in contactingrelationship, rotor means adjacent one end of said housing andrelatively rotatable with respect thereto, and cam means operativelysupported by said rotor and being adapted to operatively actuate saidrelatively movable switch means in one rotational position forseparating said contacts whereby to cause selective actuation of theswitch,'shiftable means movable with respect to the vibrator for dampingvibration movement thereof, said shiitable means being operativelyconnected to said rotor for shifting movement in response to furtherrotation of the rotor.

12. In an electric massaging device of the class described, comprising ahousing, a vibrator unit within said housing, and a member rotatableadjacent one side of said housing for controlling the actuation of saidvibrator unit, a portion of said housing being outwardly struck-outbeneath said rotatable member, said rotatable member having an inwardlystruck-out portion radially opposite said outwardly struck-out portion,said inwardly struck-out portion providing an aperture through which theinwardly struck-out portion is normally visible and said inwardlystruckout portion residing inwardly of said outwardly struck-out portionin one rotational position of said rotatable member with said outwardlystruck-out portion visible through said aperture.

13. In an electric massaging device of the class described comprising ahousing having an electric vibrator unit therein, said housingcomprising a generally annular wall enclosing the vibrator unit andtapering toward an apex at one extremity located on the axis of thehousing, an axially reciprocating shaft connected to said vibrator unitand extending outwardly from said housing at the opposite axialextremity of said housing, a manually actuable rotatable control memberwhose axis is disposed adjacent said first named extremity at said apexand being rotatable about pivot means extending generally transverselyto the axis of said housing and operative to control said vibrator unit,said rotatable member having its periphery projecting from saidextremity of the housing and means operatively shiftable in response torotation of said rotatable member to restrict vibration of the axiallyreciprocating shaft.

FERNANDO L. RENGA.

